Timex Datalink

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The model 150. The lens is clearly visible at 12 o' clock on the face of the watch. The Microsoft logo is also visible. The red wave pattern below the Microsoft logo indicates that the watch is water resistant
The model 150. The lens is clearly visible at 12 o' clock on the face of the watch. The Microsoft logo is also visible. The red wave pattern below the Microsoft logo indicates that the watch is water resistant

Timex Datalink or Timex Data Link is a line of watches manufactured by the Timex Corporation. As the name implies datalink watches are capable of data transfer through linking with a computer. The Datalink line was introduced in 1994 and it was co-developed with Microsoft as a wearable alternative to mainstream PDAs with additional attributes such as water resistance, that PDAs lacked, and easy programmability.[1] The early models included models 50, 70, 150 and model 150s (small size).[1] The model numbers indicated the approximate number of phone numbers that could be stored in the watch memory. These early models were, at the time of their introduction, the only watches to bear the Microsoft logo.[2][3] There has been an evolution over the years as to the number and type of entries that can be stored in the various watch models as well as the mode of data transfer between computer and watch.

Contents

[edit] Wireless data transfer mode

Timex Datalink Notebook Adapter. The red LED can program the watch by blinking and is visible on the saucer portion of the adapter to the right of the serial port connector
Timex Datalink Notebook Adapter. The red LED can program the watch by blinking and is visible on the saucer portion of the adapter to the right of the serial port connector

Although there are other watches capable of storing all kinds of data, they usually had a small keyboard that could be used to input data. The keyboard was tiny and made data input difficult and tedious and decreased the toughness and water resistance, if any, of the watch. Moreover as soon as the battery expired one had to manually re-input the data. The Timex Datalink watches were unique because they could transfer data wirelessly from the computer to the watch and therefore made data transfer easy. Since the files were stored in the computer they could be edited in the computer and if the watch battery had to be replaced loss of files in the watch due to reset was no problem, since they could be easily downloaded as many times as needed. The data files were accessible via the Timex-Microsoft co-developed special Datalink interface that resided in the computer. In addition the absence of a keyboard made the watch compact, water resistant and no different at first glance from any other digital watch.

[edit] Optical lens

Upon closer inspection however a small lens at the position of 12 o' clock on the watch face indicated the mode of the wireless data transmission. Data was transmitted from the CRT of the computer through a series of pulsating horizontal bars,[4] that were then focused by the tiny lens and inputted into the watch EEPROM memory through an optoelectronic transducer operating in the visible light spectrum.

[edit] Ironman Datalink

The evolution of the Datalink line shown with metal bands for easy comparison (left to right in order of chronological appearance): Datalink model 50 (1994), Ironman Triathlon with the Ironman Triathlon logo on the upper part of the face (1997) and Datalink USB sports edition (2003). The small lens is seen on both model 50 and the Ironman. Note also the inverted circular arch digital display frame design on the model 50 compared to the frame design of the other two models. The Microsoft logo appears at the top while the Datalink logo appears at the bottom for model 50. The lower button arrangement and platform is the same for both model 50 and Ironman triathlon but Ironman sports an additional start/split button on its face indicating its additional chronograph functions. All three models are water resistant to 100 m.
The evolution of the Datalink line shown with metal bands for easy comparison (left to right in order of chronological appearance): Datalink model 50 (1994), Ironman Triathlon with the Ironman Triathlon logo on the upper part of the face (1997) and Datalink USB sports edition (2003). The small lens is seen on both model 50 and the Ironman. Note also the inverted circular arch digital display frame design on the model 50 compared to the frame design of the other two models. The Microsoft logo appears at the top while the Datalink logo appears at the bottom for model 50. The lower button arrangement and platform is the same for both model 50 and Ironman triathlon but Ironman sports an additional start/split button on its face indicating its additional chronograph functions. All three models are water resistant to 100 m.

As groundbreaking and useful as the earlier models were, they were lacking some popular watch functions such as multi-lap chronos, exercise and countdown timers, etc. To address this weakness in the Datalink lineup, in 1997 Timex introduced the Ironman Datalink series that incorporated all the popular features of the rugged Ironman series such as a choice of timers, greater number of alarms, improved water resistance and a more modern look. The tiny lens was retained, however, and the data transfer mode remained wireless through visible light.

It was flight qualified by NASA for space missions.

[edit] Notebook adapter

With the advent of portable computers that used active matrix LCD screens that did not refresh like CRT monitors and therefore could not be used for data transfer,[4] in 1997, Timex introduced a notebook adapter that incorporated a red LED and connected with the laptop through the serial port. During download the LED flashed and the flashing programmed the watch much like the horizontal bars of the CRT. A USB to serial adapter could also be used to connect the Timex adapter to a USB port.

[edit] Timex Datalink USB

Datalink USB Dress edition with Invasion video game. (Three lives remaining). The watch crown (icontrol) can be used to move the defender left to right and the fire control is the Start/Split button on the lower side of face of the watch at 6 o' clock. The pixels of the invaders appear slightly blurred upon picture magnification because of the animation of the aliens. The faint pixels diagonally to the left of the defender block are pixel traces of alien missiles. This Datalink model is waterproof to 30 m.
Datalink USB Dress edition with Invasion video game. (Three lives remaining). The watch crown (icontrol) can be used to move the defender left to right and the fire control is the Start/Split button on the lower side of face of the watch at 6 o' clock. The pixels of the invaders appear slightly blurred upon picture magnification because of the animation of the aliens. The faint pixels diagonally to the left of the defender block are pixel traces of alien missiles. This Datalink model is waterproof to 30 m.

The Datalink USB represents the latest stage in the evolution of the Datalink series and it was introduced in 2003. Although initially a mild disappointment for the wireless datalink purists it gained widespread acceptance because although now tethered to the computer through the USB port during data transfer, the new watch featured vastly improved data transfer rates and greatly increased memory capacity and modes of operation as well as two way communication between watch and computer. The usual Timex Ironman attributes of sporty design, water resistance and long battery life apply to this model as well.

[edit] Games

The watch display features dot matrix architecture and is capable of games especially programmed for the watch such as Invasion,[5] along the lines of Space Invaders, created by independent software developers. The game has been developed to showcase API instructions for primitive pixel displays such as the one used in the watch.[5] The term primitive refers to displays of low resolution where one can discern the individual pixels.

[edit] Screen saver

Many programs and utilities have been developed for the watch such as football schedules, weather reports and also a screen saver that blanks out the display of the watch on the minute or the hour, appropriately called: Screen Saver – Blank.[5]

[edit] Antikythera

Among the many utilities or wrist apps developed for the watch there is one application called Antikythera that emulates some of the functions of the Antikythera mechanism by calculating the phase of the moon and is accurate to within one day in 500 years. In the future it will also be able to calculate the sun's position in the zodiac and upcoming eclipses.[6]

[edit] Cult

Datalink Ironman USB Sports Edition in screen saver mode. The screen activates automatically when the display is at :00 seconds. To de-activate the screen and resume normal display, any button can be pressed. The bulge on the left at 9 o' clock (opposite the crown) is the computer adapter attachment port. The adapter connects to the USB port of the computer
Datalink Ironman USB Sports Edition in screen saver mode. The screen activates automatically when the display is at :00 seconds. To de-activate the screen and resume normal display, any button can be pressed. The bulge on the left at 9 o' clock (opposite the crown) is the computer adapter attachment port. The adapter connects to the USB port of the computer

Due to its unique features and long tradition of innovation and utility the Datalink watch line has achieved cult-like status among technically minded people. In addition many websites are dedicated to the programming and information exchange among its many fans. Yahoo groups also exist for fans and software developers alike.[7][8]

[edit] Awards

  • Popular Science's Best of What's New Award (1995) (Watch award).[1]
  • Design and Engineering Award from Popular Mechanics (1995) (Watch award).[1]
  • Innovations '97 awards, (Awarded to both the Data Link Notebook Adapter and the Timex Data Link 150S watch).[1]

[edit] Cited references

  1. ^ a b c d e Timex Corp. History
  2. ^ Personal Computing History: ...incidentially the only watch that bears the name of Microsoft on its front panel
  3. ^ Slashdot: ...the Timex-Microsoft watch PDA...Microsoft and Timex introduced one of the first consumer PDAs
  4. ^ Antikythera app message 8838 in Timex Datalink USB Yahoo Group (signup as group member required for viewing)
  5. ^ Timex Developer Yahoo Group

[edit] External links